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Several episodes, the first one being in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, involve a particular salesman trying to sell certain Pokémon to someone. The person he is usually trying to con is James and he usually sells Magikarp, claiming that they're very valuable.
In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands befirended a giant Magikarp that saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados, but it remained friendly.
Magikarp is a pathetic excuse for a Pokémon that is only capable of flopping and splashing. This behavior prompted scientists to undertake research into it.
Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.
Its swimming muscles are weak, so it is easily washed away by currents. In places where water pools, you can see many Magikarp deposited there by the flow.
Magikarp will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team until a rescue mission involving it has been completed, using the following Wonder Mail code:
X ? ? S ? ? X ? 4 6 8 ?
♀ + ? ? 9 7 5 6 S Y ? ?
Objective: Rescue Magikarp on floor 12 of Stormy Sea.
Magikarp is generally considered to be the weakest Pokémon in any of the games. Because of this, the nickname "Magikrap" (a pun on the word "crap") is common among trainers.
Magikarp, as well as Gyarados, has been in all four regional Pokédexes.
Origin
Magikarp is based on a legend about how carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles.
Name origin
Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp. It may also the combination of magi, which means "king", and carp. Its Japanese name is a combination of 鯉 koi, carp, and the English word king.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.